Derby test in Anglo-Welsh Cup draw

Worcester Warriors will lock horns with local rivals Gloucester Rugby in the new-look Anglo-Welsh Cup for the 2009/10 season after the fixtures were announced today.

Mike Ruddock's men have been drawn against last season's runners-up at Kingsholm on the weekend of January 30 - less than a month after the big league fixture between the two at Gloucester.

Warriors also face a trip to face Scarlets and have home fixtures against Newcastle Falcons and London Irish after being named in Pool 3 in the newly structured competition.

The Anglo-Welsh Cup will see the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs and four Welsh Regions play over four weekends, followed by the semi-finals and finals. Each team will be guaranteed two home and two away inter-pool fixtures, with the top teams from each pool qualifying for the knockout stages.

Terry Burwell, Rugby Football Union Tournaments and Competitions Director, said: "We are delighted that together with Premier Rugby Ltd and the Welsh Rugby Union we have come up with a structure that will not only help players, coaches and officials develop but also provides more revenue potential for the Guinness Premiership clubs and the Welsh regions.

"There is a massive appetite for Cup rugby in England and Wales. The average attendance at pool matches over the past three seasons has been 8,506 and the final averaged 60,000. We believe this new structure will give players, coaches and supporters an exciting tournament that embodies all that's best about cross-border knockout competition.

PRL Commercial Director Jon Varney said: "When we were discussing the format of the new Anglo-Welsh tournament we tried to build on the success of the preceding one, but also take the opportunity to make some small changes to make the tournament even more attractive to clubs, supporters, viewers and sponsors.

"The financial structure will reward winning teams and that, as well as the European place on offer for an English winner, will make the tournament well worth winning."

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: "There is a rich history and heritage surrounding Anglo-Welsh encounters stretching back many years.

"The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted that the RFU and PRL have secured the future of this great competition. We are all committed to seeing it flourish and grow from the strong base it has already created.

"This Cup competition has captured the imagination of fans from both Wales and England and the final this season was a great occasion.

"It is vitally important for the supporters from both our nations to get the opportunity to see games of the highest standard and this competition serves to deliver that and ensure our talented young players improve by playing against top class opposition."

WRU Head of Rugby Performance and Development, Joe Lydon, said: "I am delighted that the great tradition of Anglo-Welsh competition will continue at the highest level.

"We have jointly championed this tournament because it will develop the support base for our national sport and help players achieve their full potential and challenge for international honours with Wales.

"The financial benefits are clear and it will provide our four Regions with a proven structure within which to test their progress.

"A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring this competition continues and we now have a structure which we can build on in the years ahead.

"My remit involves the whole of Welsh rugby and I know it is vitally important that our young players have meaningful competitions to set their sights on to maintain the commitment they need to reach the top."

Pool 1
Leicester Tigers
Sale Sharks
Saracens
Ospreys

Pool 2
London Irish
Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets

Pool 3
Harlequins
London WaspsWorcester Warriors
Cardiff Blues

Pool 4
Bath Rugby
Northampton Saints
Leeds Carnegie
Dragons

* Teams in Pool 1 play teams in Pool 4 and teams in Pool 2 play teams in Pool 3.

* Each team guaranteed four pool matches - two home and two away - with the top teams from each pool qualifying for the semi finals.

* Teams have been seeded depending on their finish in last season's Guinness Premiership and Magners League and best efforts have been made to avoid fixture duplication with both leagues, as well as the Heineken Cup, in 2009-10.